Chapter 2: The Letter Grace Left Behind
Eleanor brought Daniel to her private estate that same evening.
The huge mansion that once felt powerful suddenly felt empty.
Daniel sat quietly on the expensive sofa while Eleanor stared at the old photograph.
She noticed something behind it.
A small folded letter.
Her hands trembled as she opened it.
The handwriting was Grace’s.
Mom,
If Daniel is standing in front of you, it means I finally found the courage to send him back.
Eleanor stopped reading.
Her eyes filled with tears.
I never hated you. I was hurt.
You wanted me to marry someone powerful. Someone who could protect the family name. But I wanted a life where I could be loved for who I was.
Eleanor lowered the letter.
She remembered.
The arguments.
The anger.
The night Grace left.
At the time, Eleanor thought her daughter was choosing to destroy everything.
Now she understood.
Grace was choosing herself.
Daniel quietly walked closer.
“Grandma?”
Eleanor looked at him.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Mom said you were not a bad person.”
Eleanor looked surprised.
“She said you just forgot how to love people.”
Those words hurt more than anything.
Because they were true.
The next morning, Eleanor used every connection she had to find Grace.
Hospitals.
Old friends.
Former employees.
Anyone who knew her daughter.
Hours later, she received a call.
There was a small town several hours away.
A woman named Grace Whitmore had lived there.
But she had passed away six months earlier.
Eleanor closed her eyes.
May you like
She had spent years protecting her pride.
And lost the time she could never get back.
